The world calls on new Finance Minister Basil

Thursday, 15 July 2021 01:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ambassadors of the US, Germany, China, Russia, the European Union and the High Commissioners of the UK and India called on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry yesterday.

This was the first time the foreign envoys had met Rajapaksa since taking office as the Minister of Finance.

US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz, German Ambassador Holger Lothar Seubert, Russian Ambassador Yuri B. Materiy, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, EU Ambassador Denis Chaibi, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton paid a courtesy call on the new Finance Minister.

During the bilateral discussions, the Finance Minister said the Government will focus on creating a green economy and seek support to promote renewable energy throughout the country, keeping in line with the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement – ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’.

Rajapaksa further said that the Government is also focusing on upgrading the infrastructure required for the development of the transport sector in an environmentally friendly manner whilst gradually minimising fuel consumption.

The British High Commissioner and the EU Ambassador welcomed the Government's interest in renewable energy and the green economy.

The British High Commissioner also appreciated the use of local builders for the construction of the Central Expressway and extended to support assistance in going forward.

The Indian High Commissioner commended Sri Lanka's ability to maintain the economic growth around 4.7% in the first quarter despite the COVID pandemic and expressed confidence that the momentum will continue to achieve the expected to 5.5% growth in the future. The Indian High Commissioner also agreed to further enhance bilateral trade with Sri Lanka.

The Chinese Ambassador assured to support Sri Lanka to combat the pandemic, whilst providing the required vaccine doses to expedite Government’s efforts to inoculate at its population.

He also affirmed to attract high-level investors to the impending Hambantota Industrial Zone.

The Chinese Ambassador said they hope to see the economy will return to normal soon, whilst reassuring that China is ready to provide the necessary assistance for it.

The German Ambassador said that his Government was looking forward to providing more assistance to enhance the facilities of the existing German Technical Colleges throughout the country and to assist small and medium scale (SME) industry investors to expand their business.

The US Ambassador assured to further enhance bilateral cooperation and work with Sri Lanka in mutual understanding. Welcoming the Government's Green Economic Program, the Ambassador Teplitz further said that the possibility of attracting investors to the LNG Energy Project will be explored.

The Russian Ambassador said that his Government would continue to support the vaccination program to combat the virus. He also expressed interest to focus on formulating a joint program for the production of vaccines.

Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle also engaged in the discussions.